Is Facebook the next IG?

SSG William Sutter — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 03:18:56 -0400

It seems that some Soldiers now a days are using Facebook to vent their complaints. During an exercise my unit was participating in had another unit attached for support. One of their Soldiers posted on Army WTF moments that hey didn't have a place to sleep nor food to eat. The Soldier wasn't even in the field for a couple of hours when it was posted. What is going on in some Soldiers minds that they have to go the Facebook before their supervisor.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2014 3:47 AM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 03:47:33 -0400

SSG, I genuinely feel, that although you will ALWAYS have those whiney type Soldiers who can never be pleased, that social media is a good system to check the military and it's practices. You hear of many things via the internet from Soldiers, recently a SM and an Instagram fiasco, as well, SM's who fall into less then stellar leadership have a means to get their story out there and be heard if their chain of command isn't doing the right thing. If the military is treating Soldiers appropriately (and I don't mean petty gripes, like I don't like the mre's supply is supplying) then there should be nothing to worry about in terms of social media and Soldier complaints. I personally used the internet to get my story out, and even after using my chain of command from the literal ground up, publicizing my struggle is what promoted the results, not the leadership I approached beforehand.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2014 1:59 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 01:59:37 -0400

The problem with Soldiers and social media sites are that the SM don't know when enough is enough. The Army as a whole need to hold SM accountable for the things that get posted on these sites, I know it may seem a little much to say that but making the organization look bad is a fault in itself . Take the Army WTF moments page for example, instead of it being a page of humor and innocent fun it has now become a source for harassment, and people mercilessly attacking service members and/or their dependents. In a Nutt shell the SM incriminate themselves because they feel they have a voice on these sites which in reality they are just adding fuel to the fire by trying to expose their leaders or Soldiers dependents instead of solving the issue with our ranks. How are we to expect the issues we have in this organization to be fixed if soldiers are allowed to so call "vent" on Facebook? As a leader myself it disappoints me that we can't even trust our Soldiers to use the proper channels that are in place to solve everyday issues, instead we are left with Soldiers who think Facebook can protect them to say whatever they want. As leaders we need to start holding our Soldiers accountable for what they say on social media sites to regain good order and discipline within our organization. We are suppose to be building each other up not tearing each other down, that's where a great military begins.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 26 at 2014 2:06 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 02:06:37 -0400

Trust and speed.

Soldiers are not trusting their leaders and the speed at which social media can gets things exploited are key factors.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 26 at 2014 2:10 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 02:10:16 -0400

SSG Sutter, I think I know what happen based on previous experience. This soldier had to go to the field at the last minute. The initial plan was perhaps to keep him in the rear due to appointments or he may be said or did something that changed someone's mind and in the Army, plans change all the time. So he was transported to the field, and when he reported to his NCOIC, he might have been told someone has to go back to the rear to get more cots and maybe some more rations due to the influx of training participants. I have seen this before. Most soldiers don't make a big deal about it as long as they have a place to lay their head and something to eat. He was probably already upset he had to go to the field so he got on Facebook and ran his mouth or is fingers so to speak. All I have to say to him is get over it. He will survive.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2014 10:30 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 10:30:40 -0400

I am thinking that our newer Soldiers feel they are privileged. They expect to be taken care with out doing anything to help them selves. We need to get back to knowing our Soldiers. When we get back to basics we will know when there are issues and concerns and address them at the lowest level.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 23 at 2014 10:42 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 22:42:05 -0400

I don't run my mouth about what I dislike about the Army on my FB nor do I do it in front of soldiers. I don't want to be perceived as undisciplined or giving a perception the Army is a bad place to be because it's not. I whole heartedly respect the military and there will be days that are truly terrible but that's with any job.

Response by 1LT Nick Kidwell made Aug 10 at 2014 3:18 PM

1LT Nick Kidwell — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 15:18:51 -0400

Isn't this related to the whole concept of troops using RP as a military version of Yahoo! Answers?

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Aug 10 at 2014 3:59 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 15:59:39 -0400

Yes seeing how these social medias have been drawing lots of attention and also causing problems with units and personnel life also. But social media should not be the new IG for any reason at any given time because it is not real on some things just a place to put in your 2 cents and that is it. If someone is letting social media be in control maybe they have no good real leadership and should be removed .

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 10 at 2014 6:52 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 18:52:48 -0400

"Loose lips sink ships" and now possibly careers...Hmm...

Response by SPC Gary C. made Jul 22 at 2022 9:38 PM

SPC Gary C. — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 21:38:18 -0400

It's this generation that wants instant gratification. I want it right now, and if I don't get it when I think I should, I'll throw a temper tantrum till I get what I think I want.